Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Bangladesh is prone to frequent and heavy flooding. Flooding can devastate communities: destroying homes and schools, causing loss of life and washing away vital crops that provide food and income. We have created networks of people, using mobile voicemail technology, who can share early flood warnings in public spaces. This gives communities the valuable time needed to plan how to save lives and resources.

In 2015, the project volunteers received the voice messages about the rising water levels. They rushed out to families and helped them move to higher ground. As a result, people like Joyvamur, was saved along with her family, home and goats. Joyvamur said: “I am in debt to the volunteers for saving my family and assets.”